FALL 2019 The Arcticulate Wings for All® is an airport rehearsal Tail Therapy dogs, Champ and Tux program designed specifically for greeted everyone before and after individuals with autism or other deboarding the plane, which proved intellectual disabilities. Families are very popular! The volunteers were given the opportunity to practice all fabulous and went above and beyond steps involved in air travel including: helping with all aspects of the event! entering the airport, obtaining a The captain and crew even taxied boarding card, going through TSA the runaway, which was an added security, and boarding a real plane bonus that everyone indicated was a (that does not take off.) amazing experience to feel the actual This program is in keeping with the movement and vibrations of the plane. interest from individuals and families, mission of The Arc of Northeastern A reception followed with a host of we plan to make it an annual event! Pennsylvania to promote and support valuable information and take home If you are interested in being involved the full inclusion and participation gifts for all families and a chance for contact [email protected] of those with intellectual and them to mingle with other families developmental disabilities in their and volunteers. There were many community. Many families are smiling faces as our photographs and apprehensive to try air travel with news coverage showed! their loved ones and this affords them Due to the success of our event, an opportunity to “practice” with feedback indicates many families feel the hopes of being able to fly in the more comfortable and are willing to future for vacations and to spend take the next step and book a flight! quality time with family and friends. We value our partnerships with the On September 21st, we hosted the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Wings for All Event at the Wilkes- Airport, their affiliate airlines, TSA Barre /Scranton International and other Community Organizations. Airport for 25 individuals and their 115 Meadow Avenue We cannot thank them enough for Scranton, PA 18505 families. Participants were able to working with us to make this event Tel: 570-346-4010 Fax: 570-346-8436 go through all steps and board an so successful! Due to the popularity www.thearcnepa.org Email: [email protected] actual Delta Airlines plane! The Red of the event and the overwhelming President’s Message I hope you enjoyed the beautiful Joseph Hollander as Board President, Foundation board Fall/Indian summer we experienced. members volunteer their time and skills to insure the It was spectacular! Now welcome mission of The Arc; that children and adults with intellectual to frigid bone chilling weather. The and developmental disabilities have full, self-determined, Farmer’s Almanac predicts a cold respected lives. The Arc continues to meet the needs of the winter with plenty of snow. A fairly folks we serve through advocacy, adult day, employment, safe estimation, I’d say. I am not residential, recreation supports. Mary Ann O’ Shea and going to complain because I do Tina O’Malley in Human Resources have made significant enjoy the change of seasons. As my strides in addressing both recruitment and retention, a father always said, “There is nothing concern for all providers across the commonwealth. you can do about the weather”. Advocates, Roseanne Polishan and Mandy Colville have The state of The Arc is good as we weather the challenges earned stellar marks for the work they do for school age around us. I am serving my second term as President of the children with IDD and their families. Our local Educational Board of Directors, an honor I graciously accept. Task Force is active and provides important information Working with individuals from administration, service regarding Special Education Regulations to individuals and departments, and the board, certainly makes my work family members. I am grateful for the dedicated staff at The exciting and very rewarding. As we look to the future we Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania. You make a difference. address the challenges ahead through the organization’s Strategic Plan. With a planned and deliberate approach, we On behalf of the Board of Directors I extend a very happy move ahead. and blessed Thanksgiving to everyone. The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania Foundation, as you Ann Hoffman may know, supports the work of The Arc. Lead by Mr. President Exec’s Corner December is a particularly busy This holiday season also marks the second annual time of year at The Arc. We have “Rudolph Van Tour” of our homes. Your administrative holiday all around us. Our friends staff, (incognito as elves), will once again experience the in Carbon County are planning festive decorations, judging each home for their unique to enjoy the sights and sounds of depiction of the holiday season. Awards will be made for the season throughout December 1st, 2nd, 3rd place but top prize, the Spirit of the Season as they tour their towns, now Award, will be presented to the best! Tip- judges are adorned with holiday bedazzles. particularly impressed if samples of holiday goodies are Ahhhh…..you don’t have to look included as part of the holiday ambiance. …….. It’s a fun far if your searching for a little time of year. I hope you have lots of fun! Christmas spirit. Our holiday As we talk about the holidays, we are already planning show, which has a fabulous our advocacy work with our state representatives. reputation for being the show of shows, AND a great Conversations surrounding the state budget for fiscal way to begin the season of lights, is on Friday December year 2020-2021 are happening now. The rates of 6th. The glorious “Walk of Confections”, aka Cookie reimbursement for the services provided by The Arc of Walk, presented by The Friends of The Arc Auxiliary, NEPA , and other providers in the state, MUST be adequate happens on December 6th as well- right before the enough to provide wages reflective of responsibility. holiday show. Your voice is important! Please take 5 minutes and We’ve got poinsettias arriving then a holiday party with email or text your representative. As you wish them a our friends in Lehighton on December 8th, and another beautiful holiday season, tell them to increase funding to extravaganza at Fiorelli’s on December 13th! Can’t community services for DSP wages! Need information? forget that Santa surprises the kids and their families Stop in the administration office. We’d be glad to show as he joins us for breakfast on December 15th. In the you how easy it is to send your Representative an email!! mood to celebrate the season? You are most welcome Do it now. Do it for yourself. to join us. Come to one event. Come to all. But don’t Maryclaire Kretsch miss out. Executive Director You are cordially invited to Change for the Better join us this holiday season at our We are thrilled to have placed “Friends of The Arc Holiday Party” another gum ball machine in an area business. Thank you Billy G’s Saturday ~ December 7, 2019 Restaurant in Old Forge, PA. Fiorelli’s Banquet Facility, 1501 Main St., Peckville, PA The Arc-NEPA is grateful for this Evening Festivities: opportunity! 5:00pm ~ 6:00pm Cheese/Crackers and Vegetables / Dip Display 6:00pm ~ 7:00pm Buffet Dinner 5:00pm ~ 9:00pm Music provided by E.J. The D.J. / Cash Bar “Return of the Gingerbread Men” and a Special Guest Appearance! There will be Holiday Raffles too! Menu Includes: Fresh Garden Greens/w Vinaigrette Dressing Penne Rigate Pasta a’la Vodka Sauce, Chicken Tenderloins Scampi Sautee, Hand – Carved Certified Angus Sirloin of Beef, Fresh Fish of the Day And Oven Roasted Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetable de Casa, Rolls w/ Butter Dolce de Casa (Sweet of the House) Coffee, Tea, Decaf, Soda Cost is $30.00 per Person Calendar Current Employment Opportunities of Events www.thearcnepa.org Direct Service Professional (DSP) Please Mark Full Time Dental insurance* $13.00 - $13.50 / hr Vision insurance* Life/AD&D insurance Your Calendars Benefit Eligible Long Term Disability insurance DSP: Pension 2019 Wed-Fri alt Sat Vacation days* December 11pm-9am Personal days* Poinsettia Sale - pick-ups 1 Position Available Sick days* Holidays Tuesday, December 10th Mon-Fri $400 new employee referral bonuses after 12:00 noon 4pm-11pm Fitness Club reimbursement Wednesday, December 11th and 1 Position Available Thursday, December 12th Credit union Part Time-B Direct deposit Cookie Walk $14.00 - $15.00 / hr December 6th PLEASE NOTE: Non-Benefit Eligible 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Minimum requirements for DSP: these positions include: Holiday Show at Arc December 6th at 12:30p.m. Must be able to work every ***18 years of age or older Sat & Sun ***High School Diploma/GED Holiday Party 9am-3pm ***Valid driver’s license December 7th at Fiorelli’s 4 Positions Available starts at 5:00 p.m. Previous Human Services experi- 3pm-11pm ence helpful, but not necessary. Breakfast with Santa 9 Positions Available December 15th at Fiorelli’s Paid training provided. - - A l l p o s i t i o n s r e q u i r e fl e x i b i l i t y - - from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To be considered for one of these Contact Mary Ann or Tina positions, a completed application in Human Resources for any must be on file with our Human additional information or questions Resources Department. Our outstanding THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST benefit package includes: MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS IN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BE FILLED WITH Health insurance* WITH The Arc-NEPA.